The Creamiest Easy Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Recipe at Home

Creamy Olive Garden chicken Alfredo has been my secret comfort food obsession for years.

Memories of rich, velvety sauce and tender chicken transport me back to cozy restaurant dinners.

Home cooks can easily recreate this classic Italian-American favorite with just a few simple ingredients.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of a perfectly balanced Alfredo sauce that hugs every noodle.

Restaurant-quality dishes are totally possible in your own kitchen with some basic cooking skills.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you master this beloved recipe.

Dive into this culinary adventure and watch your family’s faces light up with pure deliciousness.

Why Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Is a Favorite

• Savor Restaurant-Quality Comfort: Recreate the beloved Olive Garden classic right in your kitchen, delivering creamy, rich flavors without leaving home.
• Master Culinary Simplicity: Navigate this recipe with ease, using basic cooking techniques that transform everyday ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in minimal steps.
• Quick Family Feast: Prepare a crowd-pleasing dinner that satisfies both picky eaters and sophisticated palates, making mealtime a stress-free, delicious experience.
• Customize Your Plate: Adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different cheese types to make it uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

• Fettuccine Pasta: A classic Italian pasta that provides the perfect base for this creamy chicken dish.
• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes golden and flavorful when seasoned and sautéed.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and luxurious sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the creamy Alfredo sauce.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Provide depth and enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, green garnish and light herbal note.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the chicken and garlic while creating a smooth sauce base.
• Pasta Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency and adds starchy richness to the final dish.

How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook fettuccine in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside in a warm spot.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

Prepare chicken breasts with your favorite seasonings. Heat a skillet and add butter, cooking chicken until golden and crispy on both sides.

Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest.

Step 3: Create Garlic Base

• Minced garlic
• Remaining butter

Saute until garlic becomes wonderfully aromatic.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Pour in heavy cream and gently simmer. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.

Step 5: Combine and Coat

Slice the rested chicken into beautiful strips.

Add chicken and fettuccine to the sauce, tossing everything together. If needed, splash in some pasta water to reach perfect creaminess.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top. Plate immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality meal.

Tips for Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

• Select high-quality chicken breasts and real Parmesan cheese for maximum flavor and authentic taste.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Add reserved pasta water gradually to create silky, smooth Alfredo sauce without becoming too thin or thick.
• Grate Parmesan cheese fresh and add slowly while whisking to ensure smooth, creamy sauce without lumps.
• Toast minced garlic briefly to release aromatic oils and develop richer, more complex taste in the Alfredo sauce.

Variations for Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

• Seafood Alfredo: Replace chicken with shrimp or scallops for a marine-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Delight: Substitute chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free fettuccine and ensure Parmesan cheese is gluten-free certified.
• Lighter Cream Sauce: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a reduced-calorie alternative.

Pairings for Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy alfredo sauce, cutting through its richness with bright, refreshing notes.

Create a light caesar or arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a tangy contrast against the heavy, rich chicken alfredo.

Serve warm, buttery garlic breadsticks alongside the dish to soak up extra sauce and add a crunchy texture that elevates the meal’s overall experience.

Prepare roasted asparagus or zucchini with herb seasoning to introduce a green, nutritious element that balances the pasta’s decadence.

Proper Storage for Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken alfredo to freezer-safe containers. Wrap securely, label with date, and freeze up to 2 months.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of cream or pasta water to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute fettuccine with other pasta like linguine, penne, or rigatoni. Choose a pasta that holds sauce well.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store separately. Reheat gently and combine just before serving to maintain texture.

• How can I make this dish lighter?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. Use less butter and choose grilled chicken instead of pan-fried for a healthier version.

• What protein alternatives work well?

Shrimp, sliced steak, or roasted vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini are excellent protein or vegetarian substitutes for chicken in this Alfredo recipe.

Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo brings classic Italian comfort straight to home kitchens with creamy parmesan sauce and tender chicken. Pasta lovers will savor this restaurant-quality dish that delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures you can recreate with simple ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine pasta

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve a cup of pasta water.
2. Season chicken breasts with Italian herbs and salt. Heat a skillet to medium-high and sear chicken until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F, roughly 5-7 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest on a cutting board for 3-4 minutes to retain juices.
4. Lower skillet temperature to medium-low. Add minced garlic and remaining butter, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
5. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes silky and uniform.
6. Season Alfredo sauce with cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt, adjusting to taste.
7. Slice rested chicken into diagonal strips against the grain.
8. Add fettuccine and sliced chicken to the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating. If sauce seems thick, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
9. Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the most authentic and rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and maximizes flavor development.
• Reserve some pasta water strategically to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky smooth texture that clings beautifully to the noodles.
• Consider adding red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that transforms the classic Alfredo into a more complex and exciting meal experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 680 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg